| RyuKyu |
| Kobudo |
| There were two great turning points in the history of the Okinawa Martial Arts. The first was the "Order of the Sword Hunt" implemented by King Shoshin (1477-1526), by which the carrying of weapons was prohibited for not only the general public, but the warrior class people as well. The second was the "Policy of Banning Weapons" enforced after the Satsuma Invasion in 1609. The RyuKyuans naturally began to think of ways to defend themselves and their property using ordinary tools or farm equipment. They discovered that they could fight against swords or spears on the same footing using tools. (Okinawa Prefecture Government) The weapons art in Okinawa is commonly known as "RyuKyu Kobudo". "RyuKyu" is an older term for Okinawa and it's out laying islands. The word "Kobudo" actually translates to "Ancient Warrior Way", not "weapons". The Japanese term for "Ancient Weapons" is "Kobuki". This would lead one to believe that the use of weapons came before the use of hands and feet when fighting. There are many farm tools, fishing implements, and weapons that are used in RyuKyu Kobudo. Some that are taught at the Okinawa Budo Kai Dojo are: Bo (Kon) - wooden staff San Setsu Kon - 3 sectional staff Nunti Bo - spear Eku - boat paddle Sai - truncheon sword Nunti Sai - piercing sai like weapon Tuifa - L-shaped baton Nunchaku - wooden flail Kama - sickle Tijukunbo - fist bo Tekko - metal knuckles Kei Bo - Police baton Techu (jifa) - hairpin Tanbo - short stick View Weapons & Kata |
